US9114062B1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US9114062B1
Application number: US13/452,210
Authority: US
Inventors: Jessica A. McGee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-04-20
Filing date: 2012-04-20
Publication date: 2015-08-25

Abstract

An infant bottle with a collapsing insert comprises a cylindrical bottle providing a vertically-positionable supporting platform which acts upon the insert to remove trapped air prior to feeding. The bottle also comprises conventional portions including a cylindrical body, a threaded top opening, a nipple, an attachment ring, and a sanitary cap. The supporting platform is vertically moveable within the interior of the bottle being positioned and locked into position via a pair of spring-loaded buttons which protrude from opposing side surfaces. A user may depress the buttons, vertically relocate the supporting platform to remove trapped air, and lock said supporting platform in position by releasing the buttons.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

There are currently no applications co-pending with the present application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to infant bottles, and in particular, to infant bottles which include a mechanism for reducing the presence of air inside the liner of the bottle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Infant bottles are well known for feeding infants and toddlers. Many infant bottles include a liner to provide trouble-free cleanup. The liners normally obtain air pockets within the empty space which forms between the underside of the nipple and the top surface of the liquid, even if fully filled. As a result, the baby tends to ingest the air from the bottle, creating the need for the parent to perform excessive burping operations.

Various attempts have been made to provide a bottle with air displacement means. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,631, issued in the name of Nightingale, describes a device for expelling air from a liner in a baby bottle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,783, issued in the name of Popoff, describes a device for expelling air from a liner in a baby bottle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,861, issued in the name of Wiedemann, describes a compressible baby bottle.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more disadvantages. Many are not suited to release enough of the air pockets. While others infant bottles with a displacement means are not use friendly. Accordingly, there exists a need for bottle with air displacement means without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a bottle with air displacement means.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to solve at least one (1) of these problems. The inventor has addressed this need by developing a bottle with air displacement means which releases air pockets and is user friendly.

To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bottle assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the bottle assembly with a body.

Yet still another object of the present invention is for the bottle assembly to comprise a bottle, an adjustable platform, and a plurality of locking buttons.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the locking buttons as spring biased posts which ride within slots upon a body of the bottle assembly.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the adjustable platform with a domed profile.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the bottle assembly with a nipple and nipple flange.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the bottle assembly with a body.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of utilizing the body, utilizing the adjustable platform, engaging the locking buttons, and positioning to a desired position to compress an insert within the body.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a bottle with volumetric displacement means10, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the bottle with volumetric displacement means10, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a close-up perspective view of thebottle assembly20, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a section view of thebottle assembly20 taken along section line A-A (seeFIG. 3), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a section view of thebottle assembly20 taken along section line B-B (seeFIG. 4), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of acup insert102, according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

- 10 bottle with volumetric displacement means
- 15 liquid
- 20 bottle assembly
- 22 body
- 23 male threaded portion
- 24 base
- 25 inner cavity
- 26 adjustable platform
- 28 locking button
- 30 slot
- 32 locking aperture
- 34 graduation mark
- 38 collapsible insert
- 39 first insert flange
- 40 locking post
- 42 guide aperture
- 52 platform support member
- 54 spring post
- 56 spring
- 60 nipple
- 62 nipple flange
- 64 nipple orifice
- 70 attachment ring
- 72 female threaded portion
- 74 gripping surface
- 80 cap
- 102 cup insert
- 104 second insert flange

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted withinFIGS. 1 through 5 and in terms of an alternate method of use, herein depicted withinFIG. 6. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

The present invention describes a bottle with volumetric displacement means (herein described as the “apparatus”)10, which provides ababy feeding bottle20 which utilizes a disposablecollapsible insert38 with an integral mechanism to compress a bottom portion of saidcollapsible insert38, thereby reducing a volume of air inside. Said collapsing mechanism is integral to acylindrical body portion22 of theapparatus10 and further comprises a pair of opposed lockingbuttons28 which allow a user to incrementally elevate an internaladjustable platform26 which drives thecollapsible insert38 upwardly, thereby forcing excess air within saidcollapsible insert38 out of thenipple60 prior to consumption of the containedliquid15. Theapparatus10 further comprises conventional and expected portions including acylindrical bottle body22, anipple60, anattachment ring70, and asanitary cover cap80.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2, front perspective and exploded views of theapparatus10, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. Theapparatus10 comprises abottle assembly20, acollapsible insert38, anipple60, anattachment ring70, and acap80. Thebottle assembly portion20 of theapparatus10 further comprises a transparentcylindrical bottle body22 providing easy visual communication of a remaining volume of contained liquid15 via molded-in and/or paintedgraduation markings34 along an outer side surface. Saidbottle assembly20 also provides a verticallyadjustable platform26 onto which thecollapsible insert38 rests. Saidadjustable platform26 provides a means to compress thecollapsible insert38 as it is incrementally raised above an integral protectiveplastic base portion24 of saidbottle assembly20. Saidadjustable platform26 is vertically positioned and locked in place via mechanical communication with a pair of opposing lockingbuttons28 which are spring-biased outwardly throughrespective slot portions30 formed within side surfaces of thebottle body22. As a user presses both lockingbuttons28 inwardly, theadjustable platform26 is free to move vertically to expel air from thecollapsible insert38 or return to a bottom start position, respectively. Theadjustable platform26 comprises an upwardly domed profile which matches that of thenipple60 so as to more completely displace thecollapsable insert38 as well as the containedliquid15. Theadjustable platform26 may be secured at a desired height by vertically positioning and releasing the lockingbuttons28. Eachlocking button28 in turn mechanically engages a pair of lockingapertures32 being correspondingly formed within a wall portion of saidbottle body22. Said lockingapertures32 are arranged in two (2) parallel vertical rows on each side of said slot portion30 (see FIGS.3,4, and5).

Thecollapsible insert38 provides a cylindrical collapsing structure having afirst insert flange39 along an upper perimeter edge which collapses during feeding an infant the contained liquid15 in a similar manner as PLAYTEX DROP-INS®. Thenipple60 further comprises a conventional design having aperimeter nipple flange62 and an upwardly protrudingnipple orifice64. Theattachment ring70 further comprises an internal female threadedportion72 and an ergonomicgripping surface74 along a perimeter outer surface. Theapparatus10 is envisioned to be made of transparent or translucent food-grade plastic materials and introduced in a variety of attractive colors. Furthermore, theapparatus10 is envisioned being made available having various internal fluid volumes such as, but not limited to: six (6), eight (8), and twelve (12) ounces.

Assembly of theapparatus10 is accomplished by inserting thecollapsible insert38 into aninner cavity portion25 of thebottle body22 so as to cause thefirst insert flange39 to rest upon a male threadedportion23 of saidbottle body22. Thenipple flange portion62 of thenipple60 is subsequently stacked upon saidfirst insert flange39 and the female threadedportion72 of theattachment ring70 is threadingly engaged and tightened against the corresponding male threadedportion23 of thebottle body22 to seal thebottle body22,collapsible insert38, andnipple60 to each other. Thecap80 comprises a conventional dome-shaped snap-on protective device when theapparatus10 is not in use which engages an outer surface of theattachment ring70 via a friction fit.

Referring now toFIGS. 3,4, and5, close-up and section views of thebottle assembly portion20 of theapparatus10, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. Theapparatus10 provides a mechanism to position and secure theadjustable platform26 at a desired vertical location via the two (2) lockingbuttons28. Eachlocking button28 further comprises a pair of integral locking posts40 being formed along inwardly-facing side surfaces in a “U”-shaped manner and having cylindrically-shaped end portions which are correspondingly positioned to insertingly engage respectivelocking aperture portions32 formed within an internal surface of thebottle body22 and being arranged along both side edges of theaforementioned slot30.

The lockingbuttons28 supported and adjust theadjustable platform26. Saidadjustable platform26 comprises a circular-shaped disc-like member having a diameter slightly less than an inner diameter of thebottle body22, thereby forming a plunger-like mechanism. Saidadjustable platform26 further comprises a subjacent and indented circularplatform support member52 which provides an attachment means to the lockingbuttons28 via respective outwardly extending spring posts54. Said spring posts54 comprise integrally-molded cylindrical appendages which extend outwardly from side surfaces of theplatform support member52. Said spring posts54 are slidingly inserted into respectiveguide aperture portions42 within eachlocking button28. Said spring posts54 are further encompassed by respective compression springs56 which act against said lockingbuttons28 to bias said lockingbuttons28 in an outward direction, thereby causing the aforementioned locking posts40 to forceably engagerespective locking apertures32.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a front perspective view of thecup insert102, according to an alternate method of use of the invention, is disclosed. Thecup insert102 comprises a semi-rigid cylindrical body member with an open top designed to maintain a cylindrical shape during feeding of a containedliquid15. Saidcup insert102 further comprises an upper perimetersecond insert flange104 which provides a sealing means similar to the previously describedfirst insert flange39. Thecup insert102 may be utilized in lieu of the previously describedcollapsible insert38 upon such time as an infant no longer requires the collapsing function of thecollapsible insert38. Saidcup insert102 comprises a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter which may be slidingly inserted into aninner cavity portion25 of thebottle body22 such that thesecond insert flange104 rests upon the male threadedportion23 of saidbottle body22. Subsequently, thenipple60 andattachment ring70 are affixed in a conventional manner.

It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of theapparatus10, it would be installed as indicated inFIG. 1.

The method of configuring and utilizing the preferred embodiment of theapparatus10 may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of theapparatus10 having a desired fluid volume and color; removing theattachment ring70 andnipple60, if previously installed; inserting thecollapsible insert38 into theinner cavity portion25 of thebottle body22 until thefirst insert flange39 is resting on the male threadedportion23 of thebottle body22; filling thecollapsible insert38 with aliquid beverage15; threadingly installing thenipple60 andattachment ring70 in a conventional manner; holding theapparatus10 vertically with thenipple60 pointing in an upward direction; depressing both lockingbuttons28 to operably motion theadjustable platform26 upwardly in a plunger-like manner to force a desired amount of air from thecollapsible insert38 and out thenipple orifice portion64 of thenipple60 prior to feeding; feeding the liquid15 to the infant in a conventional manner; preventing air pockets from re-forming within thecollapsible insert38 as a vacuum created inside saidcollapsible insert38 causes saidcollapsible insert38 to collapse; and, preventing a child from ingesting excessive air during feeding using thepresent invention10.

The alternate method of use provides feeding of a maturing infant using aninternal cup structure102 at such time the infant progresses beyond a need for the air reduction function of the collapsinginsert38. The method of configuring and utilizing thecup insert102 may be achieved by performing the following steps: inserting thesemi-rigid cup insert102 into theinner cavity portion25 of thebottle body22 in lieu of thecollapsible insert38; filling thecup insert102 with a desiredliquid15 beverage; threadingly installing thenipple60 andattachment ring70 in a conventional manner; feeding the liquid15 to the infant in a conventional manner.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.